plate no. 9320

The Chefs at the Table: Heading for The Knave of Hearts

Maxfield Parrish, 1925

oil, pencil, cardboardRomanticismillustrationfigureskitchenwareclocktablecheckered background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering metallic surfaces and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. The checkered background offers practice in precise geometric painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, table, and clock.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background squares, the figures' clothing, and the table.
step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, focusing on the folds in their clothing and the expressions on their faces.
step 04
Render the metallic surfaces of the kitchenware and clock, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of shine.
step 05
Refine the checkered background, ensuring the squares are evenly spaced and the lines are crisp.
step 06
Add final details, such as the reflections in the metal objects and the textures of the clothing.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Varnish for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · viridian green · cadmium yellow

Achieve the metallic tones by layering thin washes of yellow ochre and burnt umber, then adding highlights with titanium white. Mix viridian green with yellow ochre to create the green accents.

techniques